Scenario Sprint Game Materials

Overview:
Teams draw scenario cards and have 8 minutes to identify as many active supervision strategies as possible. Each valid strategy = 1 point; most innovative approach = +1 bonus point.

Instructions for Teams:

1. Form teams of 3–4 participants.
2. Each round, one team member draws a scenario card from the deck.
3. Read the scenario aloud and discuss: What active supervision strategies would you employ? (e.g., scanning, proximity, redirection, group arrangement, clear expectations.)
4. Record your strategies on your response sheet within 8 minutes.
5. At time’s up, hand in your sheet and draw a new card for the next team (or rotate decks if multiple sets).
6. Facilitator tracks points on the whiteboard.

Scenario Cards

Card 1: Hallway Hustle
Students lining up outside the classroom are chatting loudly and a few begin to push ahead in line, causing congestion and minor shoves.

Card 2: Worktime Whispers
During independent reading time, a small cluster of students at one table whisper, giggle, and distract their neighbors from reading.

Card 3: Transition Tumble
Students are moving from math to reading stations. One student lingers, wanders the hallway, and narrowly avoids bumping into others.

Card 4: Cafeteria Cut-In
In the lunch line, a student cuts ahead of a peer, sparking a verbal exchange and drawing a small crowd.

Card 5: Tech Timeout
At the tablet station, one student’s device loses signal. They start wandering around, looking for help and distracting nearby peers.

Card 6: Group-Work Glitch
During a collaborative project, one group drifts off-task, passing notes and chatting without contributing to the assignment.

Card 7: Doorway Dilemma
Students enter the art room with scissors and glue. One student holds scissors pointed upward while walking through the doorway.

Card 8: Recess Ruckus
On the playground, a group of students gathers near a broken fence. Some peer through the break, others climb on it.

Card 9: Assembly Shuffle
After an assembly, students file out of the auditorium. The route narrows at the exit, causing pushing and slowdowns.

Facilitator Note: Print and cut these cards so each scenario is on its own. Ensure teams have paper and markers to jot down strategies. Rotate decks each round if you have more than one set.

Facilitator Play-by-Play Script

Section 1: Welcome & Objectives (0–5 minutes)

Timing Cue: Start timer for 5 minutes.

Facilitator says:

“Good morning, everyone! Welcome to What’s the Supervision Challenge?
My name is [Your Name], and today we’re going to energize our professional learning by practicing active supervision through a fun, competitive game. Our focus is on strengthening classroom management, boosting school climate, and preventing minor issues before they turn into big disruptions.”

Action: Display Slide 1 (Challenge Overview Slide Deck).

Facilitator continues:

“Let’s look at our session objectives.”

Action: Advance to Slide 2 (Session Objectives).

Facilitator reads slide bullet points aloud, pausing briefly after each:

• Identify key active supervision strategies
• Practice through scenario-based gameplay
• Collaborate with peers to solve real-world challenges
• Plan immediate classroom applications

Prompt: “As I read these, think of a time you used (or wanted to use) active supervision in your classroom. You’ll have a chance to share these experiences later.”

Facilitator: “By the end of our 45 minutes together, you’ll walk away with specific techniques you can implement as early as tomorrow.”
 
 

Section 2: Scenario Sprint Setup (5–10 minutes)

Timing Cue: Reset timer for 5 minutes.

Facilitator says:

“Now, let’s get into teams. Please form groups of three to four people. If you’re on your own, find two or three colleagues to join you.”

Action: Invite participants to cluster; once groups form, distribute one deck of scenario cards to each team.

Facilitator continues:

“Each deck has nine scenario cards. In a moment, your team will draw the top card, read it aloud, and brainstorm as many active supervision strategies as possible in eight minutes. Each valid strategy is one point. The team with the most innovative approach in a round gets a bonus point.”

Action: Display Slide 4 (Challenge Overview Slide Deck).

Facilitator says:

“Here’s the quick rundown:

1. Draw a scenario card.
2. Discuss and identify strategies like scanning, proximity, redirection, clear expectations, or group arrangement.
3. Record your strategies on the response sheet.
4. At time’s up, hand your sheet to me, and we’ll rotate decks.”

Prompt: “Any questions about teams, cards, or scoring?”

Facilitator: Answer clarifying questions; ensure a shared understanding.
 
 

Section 3: Gameplay Rounds (10–35 minutes)

Timing Cue: We’ll run three rounds, eight minutes each, plus transition time. I’ll call “Begin” and “Time’s up.”

Facilitator says:

“Ready for Round 1? Teams, draw a card, read the scenario aloud, and start brainstorming!”

Action: Start 8-minute timer; circulate to observe, keep energy high.

During Round (Facilitator Prompts):

• “Looks like Team A is on Card 3—great scenario!”
• “Team B, remember: proximity is a powerful supervision tool.”
• “Time reminder: 2 minutes left!”

Timing Cue: When timer ends, shout:

“Time’s up! Please hand in your sheets.”

Action: Collect responses; quickly award points on the whiteboard.

Facilitator says:

“Nice work, everyone. Team C, you earned the bonus point for that creative seating arrangement!”

Transition Prompt: “Teams, pass your deck to the left, and let’s start Round 2. Go!”

Repeat for Rounds 2 and 3, using similar prompts, energy boosts, and “Time’s up!” cues.
 
 

Section 4: Group Debrief (35–45 minutes)

Timing Cue: 10 minutes remaining.

Facilitator says:

“Awesome effort! Let’s bring it back together for our debrief.”

Action: Display Slide 7 ([Session Agenda]) as a reminder of our flow, then switch to the Debrief Dialogue Discussion Guide.

Facilitator prompts:

“First, who wants to share one supervision strategy your team identified that felt really powerful?”



Follow-Up Questions:

• “Why did you choose that approach?”
• “How might that look different in your own classroom?”
• “What challenges might you face implementing it?”

Facilitator continues:

“Next, let’s discuss any surprises or ‘aha’ moments from the game.”



Prompt Options:

• “Did any team have a strategy no one else thought of?”
• “How did proximity or scanning shift the outcome of your scenario?”

Action: Capture key insights on the whiteboard under categories: “Strategies,” “Challenges,” “Opportunities.”

Facilitator says:

“To close, I invite each team to commit to one active supervision move you’ll try in your classroom this week. Share with your partner now.”






Wrap-Up:

• Summarize the main takeaways displayed on the board.
• Encourage ongoing collaboration and reflection in your PLCs or grade-level teams.
• Thank everyone for their enthusiasm and energy!

Final Action: Display Slide 8 (Next Steps) and dismiss.

“Thank you all for playing What’s the Supervision Challenge? Let’s put these strategies into action and make our classrooms even more positive and proactive!”

Debrief Dialogue Discussion Guide

Purpose: Reflect on your Scenario Sprint experience, share insights, and plan for applying active supervision strategies in your classrooms.

1. Opening Reflection (2 minutes)

Prompt participants to think silently about the experience they just had:

“What stood out to you most during the Scenario Sprint?”

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one quick word or phrase.

2. Share Key Strategies (3 minutes)

Ask each team to present one strategy they identified that felt particularly powerful or novel:

• What was the strategy?

• Which scenario did it come from, and why did it resonate with your group?

Record responses on the whiteboard under Strategies.

3. Aha Moments & Surprises (2 minutes)

Facilitate a brief whole-group discussion:

• Did any team discover a supervision technique no one else considered?

• How did proximity, scanning, or group arrangement change the outcome in your scenario?

Capture key “Aha” insights under Opportunities on the board.

4. Anticipating Challenges (2 minutes)

Prompt participants to consider implementation barriers:

“What obstacles might you face when trying this strategy in your own classroom?”

List common challenges under Challenges on the board.

5. Commitment & Action Planning (3 minutes)

Have participants pair up and answer:

1. Which one active supervision move will you commit to trying this week?

1. How will you measure its impact on student behavior or engagement?

Invite a few pairs to share their commitments aloud.
Display Next Steps to reinforce ongoing support.

6. Closing Reflection (1 minute)

Thank everyone for their contributions and energy.
Encourage continued collaboration by sharing successes and challenges in your next PLC or team meeting.